Released on = April 19, 2006, 3:41 am

Press Release Author = Christina White

Industry = Media

Press Release Summary = Former president and Chairman of Jatiya Party, one of the
top three political parties in Bangladesh, is ignored by major two parties in the
country, on a number of important national issues.

Press Release Body = Former president and Chairman of Jatiya Party, one of the top
three political parties in Bangladesh, is ignored by major two parties in the
country, on a number of important national issues. In recent days, the issue came to
the attention of media, when Ershad's Jatiya Party was not included in the dialogue
to ascertain the electoral reform, which main opposition Bangladesh Awami League
terms as the key factor to ensure free and fair election in 2007. While tabling the
proposal for such dialogue, leaders of Awami League (AL) made a very categorical
pre-condition saying any anti-independence force could not be included in the
dialogue process. AL's pre-condition was in particular targeted towards
Jamat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB), which is a partner is four part alliance government
in the country. It is known that JIB was the worst opponents of Bangladesh's
independence in 1971. There are even valid allegations against many of the top
figures of JIB of murdering innocent people as well taking part in rape and looting
of people's wealth with the help of their bosses in Pakistan army. Political
observers feel that, AL's precondition was nothing to do with their commitment or
affection of Bangladesh's independence, but it was a mere jealousy towards JIB,
which was AL's political partner too in 1996, when this party fo0rmed government
with Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister. Al also received support from Jatiya
Party, which was actually the main factor, without whose support it was impossible
for them to form the government. But, after coming in power, Sheikh Hasina played a
very dirty trick. They managed some power monger and corrupt figures in Ershad's
party like Anwar Hussain Manju or Naziur Rahman Manzur etc., and successfully sliced
Jatiya Party initially in two parts. Anwar Hussain Manju, who owns and runs a
vernacular daily in Bangladesh, is also known to be the agent of CIA. On the other
hand, Naziur Rahman Manzur is the brother-in-law of AL Chief Sheikh Hasina, who
became a millionaire from being a man of the street, under various favors and helps
from Ershad during his presidency. But, both the men were seen to be the worst
ungrateful when they even did not think twice to join their hands with Sheikh Hasina
and pushed their former boss into political and otherwise adversities. AL was rather
not very much satisfied only by slicing Jatiya Party. They applied maximum state
influence in letting Hussain Muhammed Ershad be convicted and was finally sent to
prison. This was not the end of AL patronized state repression on a former
President! Ershad was constantly tortured, both mentally and otherwise in prison.
Although he enjoyed the status of first class prisoner, jail administration was
particularly instructed by AL's Home Minister Muhammed Nasim to put mental strain on
the former President, so that he becomes mentally insane. But, possibly, because of
military back ground and very strong nerve, Ershad did not break. Adversities,
atrocities, torture and all forms of inhumane behavior could not dent him strong
personality. And, that is why; Ershad is back in politics, with Jatiya Party holding
18 seats in the National Assembly. And the secret behind Ershad's inspiration was
Begum Rowshan Ershad, his loving wife, who also suffered mountain of pains and
agonies. Rowshan was the key instrument, who managed to let Jatiya Party survive
during those worst days. She has the dream, one day, once again her husband Hussain
Muhammed Ershad will be back in power. Ershad too know for sure, the people of
Bangladesh still have highest affection for him. Because, in his nine-year rule,
Ershad worked tirelessly to transform once bottom less case Bangladesh into a
country of immense opportunity. He dedicated all of his zeal in improving country's
infrastructure, and the nine year of Ershad period, Bangladesh witnessed a
tremendous progress in construction of bridges, roads, dams etc. Although the
country has serious economic adversity, Ershad excellently managed the foreign
donors in giving money for the development of his country. Commenting on Ershad, one
of my journalistic colleagues said, he is a real man. He loves the people of
Bangladesh. He loves his country. But, it was some bunch of bad and notorious
people, who spoiled the good image of Ershad.
Many Bangladeshis, especially whose living in rural areas, still believe that, one
day, Ershad will be back in power. While talking to journalists, Ershad said, "I
must become the Prime Minister of this country. I want to let my country flourish
and appear in the world community as a prosperous nation. I have only one dream. I
want to see smile in the faces of the people of my country." The former ruler left
tears while saying these words. It proves, the words came from his soul, and he is
possibly one of the only few leaders in Bangladesh, who still has genuine love for
his nation.
These are the points, which always worry the political foes of Jatiya Party. They
know for sure, if Ershad comes in power, political future of many of his political
opponents will simply be screwed. Because, he is a man of word, he knows how to let
his nation progress. Although during nine-year rule, many of the cabinet members in
Ershad's government like Barrister Moudud Ahmed, who now is an influential member of
Bangladesh Nationalist party, Anwar Hussain Manju, who now is running a fraction of
Jatiya Party, which is actually a silent tail of Awami League, Naziur Rahman Manzur,
who runs Bangladesh Jatiya Party, which is actually a one-man party trying to get
lots of financial benefits being with BNP government and many other, spoiled the
good image of Ershad and his government, time has taught the excellent lesson, which
Ershad will possibly hold tight if he comes in power again.
Above all, Ershad is one of the political figures, who possibly will never
compromise with Islamist radicals or even allow them to spread wings in Bangladesh.
He rather has serious hate for these elements. He has clear vision on Middle East
affairs. Ershad knows the reality of today's world. He understands global politics
well. And possibly, if Jatiya Party is in power, their views on Middle East would be
move progressive or even different than others. Who knows, if Ershad's policies
would even be same as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. After all they belong to
same back ground. Both are Generals.

The author is a senior columnist, political analyst on Asian affairs and London
based Correspondent of Blitz.


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